Ciaron Maher’s remarkable trifecta wasn’t the sole historic achievement in this year’s Melbourne Cup; the horse responsible for his second victory in the prestigious race also carved out new territory.
Point Of Law secured the title of the most sparingly raced winner in the modern era of the Melbourne Cup, achieving this feat in just his sixth career start at Flemington in the $10 million Group 1 event.
While Martini-Henry holds the historical record for the least experienced winner, claiming the 1883 Melbourne Cup at his second start, no horse with fewer starts than Point Of Law has triumphed since the race’s internationalisation in 1993.
The only other contender to contest the 3200-metre race with fewer starts was Tiger Moth, who secured second place on his fifth start back in 2020.
Maher, who presented seven contenders in the Melbourne Cup field, commented that Point Of Law has adapted exceptionally well to Australian conditions and suggested that this Melbourne Cup victory might be the precursor to many more significant wins.
“Point Of Law has just thrived,” Maher stated.
“I think the world’s his oyster, really. He’s obviously very talented, he’s won that very well and he’s a European three-year-old still.
“I think he’s got a bright future, a big engine and should be a lot of fun.”
Point Of Law’s Melbourne Cup triumph occurred 206 days after his debut at Yarmouth in Great Britain, where he finished second in a 2011-metre 3YO novice race under His Majesty The King’s royal colours.
He went on to win a three-year-old maiden over the same distance at Newbury on May 15, followed by a fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase (2846m) at Royal Ascot in June.
The son of Frankel, out of the Deep Impact mare Portfolio, had one more outing in the UK, securing victory in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket on July 9, prior to his acquisition by Maher for stable clients.
Unable to secure a start in the Caulfield Cup, where he was the third emergency, Point Of Law made his Australian debut in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), which he won impressively ahead of Small Fry.
Point Of Law now joins the ranks of Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010), and Dunaden (2011) as horses to achieve the Geelong Cup/Melbourne Cup double this century, and he became the first favourite to win the Melbourne Cup since Fiorente in 2013.
The $7 top selection triumphed by 3-3/4 lengths over Zahrann ($26), who narrowly defeated Juja Kibo ($14) by a short-half-head.
Punters looking for the best racing odds can explore various Australian betting sites for competitive markets.
